“Giving thanks takes humility because we must first recognize a goodness for which we cannot take credit, and give that credit to someone or something beyond our self."
Giving Thanks:
The Recognition of Blessing
November 24, 2020
Thanksgiving is arguably my favorite holiday of the year, and not for any of the usual reasons. While I enjoy getting together with friends and family to share a meal, it’s actually the experience (at one time unique, but not this year) of gathering with a somewhat intimate crowd for the holiday mass and being able to greet one another before going off to various celebrations. But more than that, I actually enjoy simply having a full day set aside with no goal or purpose except to recognize how much I have, and how much life there is for which to be grateful.
Today’s Touchstone serves as a reflection on Thanksgiving. Thursday, instead of a Touchstone, our 9am mass will be live streamed from the church. We will not be sending out an email or Flocknote reminder, but know that you may watch the mass live streamed at 9am or recorded anytime after 12pm. The link is always found at our “Virtual Worship” page on our mpbdenver.org website.
I know that this is a hard year for holidays, and people are struggling with decisions. I hope you are each able to find satisfying ways to celebrate the gratitude we so often overlook, while also remaining safe and committed to caring for one another.
The song I chose for today is one from our choir's concert repertoire, so it’s not one you’ve heard at mass. I believe I shared it with you once in the spring. While its message is not necessarily a “bullseye” match with the theme of Thanksgiving, it’s close. My reason for choosing it is that its melody just strikes me as so “Americana“. It has the feel of a piece that might have worked well with Aaron Copeland‘s Appalachian Spring or something similar. It feels fitting for this nationally celebrated day.
God Bless and have a wonderful holiday,
~ Fr. Pat
.
In this same vein, as an accompanying song I went scavenging through my own archives to find a favorite piece that I used to sing fairly often. Not really a church composition, per se, it is a song by Stephen Schwartz about being open and prepared enough to recognize when something amazing comes along and being ready take a chance, make the change necessary and embrace the unimagined possibilities of a greater, joy-filled life.
I hope you are all continuing to be well and to actively and intentionally hunt the good moments and savor them when you can.
God Bless,
Fr. Pat
Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”
Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”
"I Will Be a Child of Peace"
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